Tube system



I Jgly 2; 1929. w. w. MCLAREN TUBE SYSTEM 7 Filed June 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 2, 1929. w MCLAREN 1.719.231

' TUBE SYSTEM Filed June 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gite map,

Patented July 2, 1929.

PATENT ors on,

WIIJLIAM W; MCLAEEN, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

TUBE SYSTEM.

Application filed June 11,

. This invention aims to provide a new and useful tube system for the purpose of transporting materials of all kinds, novel means being provided whereby the carriage can be connected magnetically to the cartridge which moves through the pneumatic tube.

It is within the pro 'ince of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

lVith the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, 'the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of constructionhereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention here in disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in transverse section, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan wherein parts are in section;

Figure 3 is a side elevation wherein parts are in section;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section showing one or the stations;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Any kind of a support may be provided but, by way of: illustration, there appears a base 1 connected to side beams 2 carrying cap strips 8 on which tracks at are secured. The numeral 5 designates a carriage, which will be constructed as desired, depending upon the nature of the commodity which is to be transported. The carriage has guides 6 mounted to slide on the tracks 4i, although it will be understood that any suitable means may be supplied for mounting the carriage for sliding movement. An hermetic tube 7 is seated in and secured upon the base 1, be tween the side beams 2. The tube 7 is made of non-magnetic material, preferably metal, excepting at stations, and at stations, a short length of magnetic material 40 is interposed in the tube.

In the tube 7 is a cartridge 8 mounted for sliding movement. The cartridge 8 is made from metal which can be magnetized. The cartridge 8 fits closely enough in the tube 7 so that it can be forced through the tube olectromagnet.

192s. iSeria1No.28fl,549.

pneumatically, in accordance with a well known practice. On the carriage 5 is mounted an electromagnetwhich may be constructed in any preferred way. The electromagnet 9 may include a. coil 10 and pole pieces 11. The pole pieces 11 are disposed as close as possible to the tube 7 and still avoid triction between the pole pieces and thetubc. The numeral 12 marks a battery located on the carriage 5 and connected to the coil 10 of the electromagnet. The numeral 1st designates any suitablemeans for controllingtlie current whereby the ele'ctrom'agnet 9 is energized and. deenergized.

Although the device has been shown as operated by an electric battery, the current can be supplied from any other source, and the tracks 4, if properly insulated, may be employed as the conductors through which the current is delivered to the coil 10 of the I It will be" understood by those skilled in the art that the source of electrical energy need not be located on the carriage 5. 7

It has been stated hereinbetore that sections of magnetic material, shown at 40 are interposed in the tube 7, wherever there is a station at which the cartridge and the carriage are to come to rest. The base 1 has an opening for each station, and in the opening 25 is located a bracket 26 which may be attached to any partof the tube 7. In the bracket 26 slides the stem 27 of a valve 28 which. cooperates with a seat 29 at the lower end of a nipple 30 mounted in the tube 7. A solenoid magnet 31 is attached to the bracket 26, and the stem 27 of the valve28 forms the core of the solenoid magnet. The valve 28 is held closed by a spring 32 which is interposed between the valve 28 and the bottom of 1 the bracket 26, the spring being mounted on the stem 27 oi the valve 28.

lVherever desired, the tube may have pockets 34 extended downwardly through the base 1 and carrying valves 35. Any moisture which may accumulate in the tube 7, due to condensation, or otherwise, will be collected in the pockets, whence it may be drawn away by opening the valve 35.

In practical operation, the cartridge 8 is forced through the tube 7 pneumatically in the usual way. hen the electromagnet 9 isenergized, it will attract the cartridge 8, and as the cartridge moves through the tube 7, motion will be imparted to the carriage 5, the

. for the tracks 4 may be employed.

' rives at the part 40 of the pneumatic tube, the

WVhen the operator Wishes to stop the carriage at a station, he energizes the solenoid magnet 81, and the core 27 is drawn doWn- Wardly, the valve 28 being opened. This,

taps the pneumatic tube 7 and tends to stop the movement of the cartridge 8 and the car riage 5. Moreover, When the carriage arpole pieces 11 of the magnet 10 will have an attraction for the magnetic part 40 of the tube, and thus the carriage will be brought to a stop. It is to be understood that the magnetic part 40 of the pneumatic tube may be of any desired length, and that the valve 28 may be located anywhere in the length of tube 7.

What is claimed is ,1. In a device of the class described. a tube including magnetic and non-magnetic portions, the tube including a valve under the control of an operator Which vents the tube, an air propelled cartridge slidable in the tube and made of magnetizable material, a carriage movably supported externally of the tube, an electromagnet on the carriage and disposed closely enough to the tube to attract the cartridge whereby when the cartridge moves through the tube, the carriage will move with the cartridge.

2. In a device of the class described, a tube including magnetic and non-magnetic portions, an air propelled cartridge slidable in the tube and made of magnetizable material, a carriage movably supported externally of the tube, and an electro-ma'gnet on the carriage and disposed closely enough to the tube to attract the cartridge, whereby When the cartridge moves through the tube, the carriage Will move With the cartridge, the magnet being disposed closely enough to the tube so that when the magnet arrives at the magnetic portions of the tube, the magnet and the magnetic portions of the tube Will cooperate in tending to stop the movement of the carriage.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

XVILLIAM W. MCLAREN. 

